Automatic lubricator for switch-points.



F. D. POLHEIVIUS.

AUTOMATIC LuBIIIcAToIT Fos swITcH POINTS.

`APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28. 191?.

mgm.

Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

jf IQ.

ffl/IIL FRANK D. POLI-IEMUS, OF ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC LUBRICATOB. FR SWITCH-POINTS.

masacre.'

To'all whom t may concern.' p

Be it known that I, FRANK D. PoLmaMUs, a citizen of the United States, and .resident of Atlantic City, New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Lubricators for Switch Points, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto lubricators for railway switch points and my object 1s provide a lubricator for automatically 011- ing or greasing the'plate upon which the switch point slides. The invention embodies a novel form of combined lubricant reservoir and lubricant .discharging means.

An important feature of my invention resides in the manner in which the lubrication is automatically effected, so that after being properly set the device requires no attention whatever on the part of an attendant, except to refill the reservoir when empt1ed.

Referring to the drawing in which like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a perspective view.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view.

Fig. 3 is a plan view, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showlng the discharging mechanism, enlarged.

Fig. 5 shows a modication of the valve structure.`

In the accompanying drawing the numeral 1 represents the web of the rail and 2 the base thereof.

The lubricant reservoir 3 is substantially rectangular and is secured to the rail by means of bolts' 4. The bottom ofthe reservoir 3 inclines slightly so that it ma rest on the inclined surface of the base p ate 2.. In the top of the reservoir 3 I provide an opening 5 through whichvoil is poured to lill the reservoir. The' opening 5 is normally closed by means of a slide 6. When the 011 in reservoir 3 becomes exhausted the slide 6 is moved longitudinally of the reservoir exposing the opening 5 through which oil is oured to replenish the said reservoir.

rranged at intervals along the front of the reservoir I provide lubricant discharge valves 7 through which the lubricant is forced onto plates 8 which are secured to the ties 9. The top surface of the plates 8 are inclined rearwardly to meet the inclination of the base 2 of the rail to furnish 'of the wall of the reservoir an Specification of Letters Patent. Pwlbntgd @43pm ML, 191'?,

Application tiled February 28, 1917.' Serial No. 151,518.

a proper supporting surface for the switch -ber 11 projects through the reservoir while the conlform recessed head is held within the reservoir. Extending through the tubular member 11 is a plunger l2 having a coniform head which fits the recessed head of the member 1l, while the opposite end is screwthreaded. Over the tubular member 11 ll provide an internally screw-threaded member 13, which is encircled by a coil spring 14.v The coil spring 14 is held in place byl means of a washer .15 and nut 16 screwed onto the end of the plunger 12 to hold it normally closed. The operation of this device is as follows:

When the switch point is thrown into operative position it strikes against the projecting end of the plunger and forces it inwardly, which allows the lubricant to flow into the coniform recessed head of the tubular member 11, thereby filling the same. As

the switch pointV 1s moved away from its operative position the coil spring bearing against the nut secured to the end of the plunger forces the plunger to its normally closed position, thereby forcing the lubricant out onto the plates upon which the switch point slides and cutting olf further flow from the reservoir.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. In combination with a rail, ties, and a switch point, a lubricant reservoir secured to the web of theI rail, havin a valve closingthe opening therein an a stem projecting therefrom in the path of movement of the switch pointA and adapted to be actu-l ated by the switch point in its movement laterally, substantially as described.

. 2. In combination with a rail and ties supporting the same, a lubricant reservoir secured to they rail, spring pressed valves controlling the loil discharge from said reser-u voir, and having stems extendin laterally operated by the lateral movement of the switch point, substantially as described.

FRANK D. POLHEMUS. 

